ASSASSINS
Book by John Weidman
Music by Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Based on an original idea by Charles Gilbert
Directed by Roseann Ruggiero
Musical Direction by Cliff Parrish
WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 1–4 PM; Tuesday, March 27, 7–10 PM
Callbacks: Saturday, March 31, 1 PM; as needed and by invitation only.
Performance dates: May 18, 26, June 1, 2, 8 & 9 at 8 PM; May 19, 20, 27, & June 3 at 2 PM.
WHERE: The Barn Theatre is located at 32 Skyline Drive in Montville, NJ, just minutes off Route 287, Exit 47. For more information or directions, call 973. 334.9320, or visit www.barntheatre.org.
This most American of musicals lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman bend the rules of time and space, taking us on a nightmarish roller coaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact and, in an intense final scene, inspire each other to commit harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream. The show explores inner motives of each assassin with music that varies in order to reflect the popular music of the eras depicted.
AUDITIONERS
Please prepare a short song in the appropriate style of the character (legit or contemporary musical theater), bring sheet music in the right key, and be prepared to read from the script. You may sing a short cut from the show.
Please arrive within the first hour of the audition to register. All roles are available. Casting is open, and newcomers are welcome and encouraged.
Cast requirements: 15-17 men, 7-9 women, various ages.
- JOHN WILKES BOOTH - Male, legit baritone. Handsome and passionate. Actor must possess a strong presence. Strong legit voice.
- CHARLES GUITEAU - Male, contemporary tenor. Can read slightly “older.” Actor with strong comic timing. Vaudeville character style.
- LEON CZOLGOSZ - Male, legit bass to low G. Polish accent. Strong yet stoic. Tall with dark features.
- GUISEPPE ZANGARA - Male, tenor legit sound up to an A. Can read slightly “older.” Heavy Italian accent. Angry, strong actor.
- SAMUEL BYCK* - Male, baritone. Can read slightly “older.” Loud, angry, great comic timing.
- JOHN HINCKLEY - Male, contemporary baritone. Depressed college student, lost, and reserved. Must play guitar.
- LEE HARVEY OSWALD* - Male, minimal singing. Confused and suicidal employee of The Texas School Book Depository. Role may double with the role of BALLADEER.
- LYNETTE “SQUEAKY” FROMME - Female, contemporary mezzo. Hippie in love with Charles Manson.
- SARA JANE MOORE - Female, contemporary mezzo. Can read slightly “older.” Stressed out housewife. Great comic timing.
- BALLADEER - Male, tenor. Woody Guthrie type. Narrator of show. Possibly able to play guitar, mandolin or banjo. Role may double with the role of LEE HARVEY OSWALD.
- THE PROPRIETOR - Male, baritone. Possesses a sort of power over the characters. Attractive and appealing.
FEATURED ENSEMBLE MEMBERS
- DAVID HEROLD - Male, bari-tenor. Friend and accomplice to John Wilkes Booth.
- EMMA GOLDMAN - Female, soprano. Should read “older.” A Jewish anarchist known for her political activism. Russian accent.
- BILLY - Male or female to play child. Son of Sara Jane Moore.
- ENSEMBLE of between 4M/4W and 6M/6W A strong vocal ensemble playing various PRESIDENTS (Ford and Garfield), REPORTERS, TOURISTS, BYSTANDERS. All must be able to move and sing very well.
Assassins is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
